Rights and benefits for people in dependency situations

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1. It creates the System for Autonomy and Care for Dependency (SAAD), which guarantees a common minimum content of rights for people with dependency needs throughout Spain, with the participation of all public administrations.
2. Protection is organized in three levels: a minimum level guaranteed by the State, a second level agreed with each Autonomous Community through cooperation agreements, and, where applicable, an additional level each Community may add.
3. Benefits can be services (prevention, telecare, home help, day and night centers, residential care) or cash benefits, such as the one linked to a service, the one for care in the family environment, and the one for personal assistance.
4. Dependency is classified into three grades (moderate, severe and great dependency), each with two levels, and is assessed using a scale agreed by the Territorial Council and approved by the Government.
5. To hold these rights you must be in a dependency situation and have lived in Spain for five years, two of them immediately before applying. Beneficiaries contribute to the cost of services according to their financial means, but no one is left out of the System for lack of money.
6. The right to benefits takes effect progressively starting January 1, 2007: first for great dependency and, over eight years, up to moderate dependency.

Who it affects

• People in dependency situations due to age, illness or disability: They can apply for recognition of their dependency grade and access services and cash benefits.
• Families and non-professional caregivers: They can receive a cash benefit for care, plus support, training and respite measures.
• Autonomous Communities and local entities: They manage services, assess dependency and may add extra protection levels.
• Companies and centers providing dependency services: They must be accredited, meet quality standards, and face fines and sanctions if they fail.

Words worth knowing

Dependencia (dependency)

A permanent situation of someone who, due to age, illness or disability, needs help from another person for basic daily activities.

Actividades básicas de la vida diaria (basic daily activities)

The most elementary tasks: personal care, moving around, basic housework, recognizing people and objects, or finding your way.

Baremo (assessment scale)

A table of criteria and scores used to measure each person's degree of dependency.

Prestación económica vinculada al servicio (service-linked cash benefit)

Periodic money given only when access to a public or contracted service is not possible, and it must be spent on that service.

Concertado (contracted)

A private center with an agreement with the administration to provide public services, after being accredited.

It summarizes the law as published in the BOE. It is written by artificial intelligence and may contain mistakes: the official text is what counts. Read the official text · How we make summaries